Walk and Talk Therapy for Marin Moms 

There’s something deeply familiar about walking during early motherhood.

I still remember the walks I took in those early days, weeks, and months—sometimes with a baby strapped to my chest, sometimes pushing a stroller, sometimes just stepping outside for a breath of air and a moment to myself. Those walks often felt like the only thing grounding me when everything else felt completely new. 

Movement has been an integral part of many of my clients’ motherhood journeys—and my own—which is why I’m excited to now offer walk and talk therapy as part of my practice. It also helps that there’s a great walking path just steps from my office!

Why Walking + Therapy Works

Ever notice how you start talking more when you’re on a walk? That’s not just a coincidence. The steady rhythm of walking—especially side-by-side—can make it feel easier to open up. There’s even research to back this up: walking engages bilateral stimulation (a left-right movement pattern) that helps regulate the nervous system and supports emotional processing. It’s one of the reasons why walk and talk therapy can feel so natural and grounding.

Here are a few more ways walking and nature can support mental health:

  • It helps your body release tension. Walking lowers cortisol, boosts endorphins, and can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. A  study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that integrating walking into psychotherapy can improve cardiovascular risk factors and symptoms of mental illness, while also supporting emotional regulation and strengthening the therapeutic relationship.

  • Nature supports clarity and calm. Time in green spaces has been shown to reduce mental fatigue and rumination (those repetitive, spiraling thoughts), while also improving focus and mood.

  • Movement helps integrate emotions. The bilateral stimulation of walking—used in EMDR therapy too—helps both sides of the brain work together, supporting deeper reflection and emotional regulation.

When we combine therapy with movement and nature, it taps into all of these benefits. For many new moms, it feels more accessible, calming, and less overwhelming than a traditional therapy setting.

🎶 Sidewalk Sessions – A Playlist for the Path

To go along with walk and talk therapy, I created a playlist called Sidewalk Sessions—a mix of songs about walking, movement, and emotional shifts. It’s perfect for stroller loops, solo strolls, or anytime you need a mental reset.

👉 Listen on Spotify - Sidewalk Sessions Playlist

Take the First Step

If you’d like to learn more about walk and talk therapy—or explore whether it might be a good fit in this season of motherhood—I’d be happy to connect. Feel free to reach out with questions or to talk through what this approach could look like for you.

Sources: 

Koziel N, Vigod S, Price J, Leung J, Hensel J. Walking Psychotherapy As a Health Promotion Strategy to Improve Mental and Physical Health for Patients and Therapists: Clinical Open-Label Feasibility Trial. Can J Psychiatry. 2022 Feb;67(2):153-155. doi: 10.1177/07067437211039194. Epub 2021 Aug 23. PMID: 34424077; PMCID: PMC8892051.

https://www.livemindfullypsychotherapy.com/blog/bilateral-stimulation

Christina Klein